Hamburger Wagon Rolls into 105th Year + WIN FREE BURGERS !!

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The Hamburger Wagon is approaching its 105th anniversary. Some love them, some don’t. If you have not tried them yet, what are you waiting for ?? **

** NOW IS YOUR CHANCE, COMMENT BELOW and YOU WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN 10 Burgers or 5 Doubles!**

Sherman “Cocky” Porter in the soaked streets from the 1913 Great Flood

HERE’S THE SKINNY on the BEGINNING OF THE HAMBURGER WAGON:

The year was 1913. Daytonians know this as the year of the Great Flood of 1913. The city was decimated by flood waters and finding fresh food that had not been contaminated was tough. Miamisburg was no exception as floodwaters from the Great Miami River wreaked havoc in the village. Miamisburg was virtually under water. In emergency response, the Red Cross set up tents for displaced residents and workers at the top of the Mound Hill.

One of volunteers, made a decision that day, that would change history in Miamisburg. His name was Sherman “Cocky” Porter. He knew with the cold weather, people needed a warm food which was easy to produce in mass quantities. He decided on an old favorite family recipe of hamburgers. The tasty burgers were a huge hit and grew in popularity across the city.

The Book that put The Hamburger Wagon in the top 100 in the USA”

As the floodwaters receded, the tent city closed and life in Miamisburg returned to normal. But by then an addiction had been started. Miamisburg residents loved the little “Porter Burgers” so much that he kept up with the demand and served customers everyday. After the flood, Sherman Porter kept his hamburger wagon open, selling burgers on Saturdays. They were so popular it soon became a full-time operation and the rest is history. Fast forward to 2018 – One Hundred and Five Years Later, and not much has changed.

HERE’S THE SKINNY on TODAY‘S HAMBURGER WAGON:

—The wagon you see today is not the original on, it is a refurbished , close replica.

—The burgers are smashed cooked/flash fried in a deep, iron pan in an inch of oil. They are topped with a round white onion slice, a pickle sliced long ways. The burgers are given a shake of salt and pepper. The result is a one of a kind taste and a signature crunch.

The Legendary Burger from Hamburger Wagon

— On very busy days, the wagon sells around 1,500 burgers

—Super Secret Hamburer Wagon Meat Recipe: For over 100 years the recipe has been a guarded and secured in a vault of secrecy. Rumors abound of a little bit of sausage being in the meat, but Food Adventures cannot confirm or deny this.

Six people have owned the Hamburger Wagon over the century, the latest being Dayton native, Jack Sperry.

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON THE OWNER, JACK SPERRY:

— In 2008 Jack bought the Hamburger Wagon, and has since launched 2 more mobile wagons for private events, parties

Wagon Owner, Jack Sperry

and festivals.

— Jack is a former All State Football player at Centerville High School for the class of 1980. He is also an Ohio state graduate.

— Mr. Sperry has 2 daughters and is very involved with Miamisburg happenings. For example, he is instrumental in organizing the Rock N Green tomato festival each year in Miamisburg.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION:
The Book “Hamburger America” gave The Hamburger Wagon a national shout out in their book. The book highlights their opinion of the best 150 hamburgers in the USA.

Smashing and splashing – frying up burgers

MUST EATS at the HAMBURGR WAGON:

—THE HAMBURGERS:
You have to try the legend. Take a bite out of the icon with the crisp onion and pickle. Devour the crunchy patty, and take a step back in time. The burger bun also adds to the goodness.

—THE DOUBLE:The Big Ragu says this is the best thing on the menu. Why? Because the onion can be a little powerful, and the double deadens some of that. Breathe less fire, get the double burger.

The bottom line is that if you are bit of a Food Adventurer, you will have already tried these or will be trying them soon. Go for the single and double – tell us which one you like better.

*****WANT TO WIN 10 BURGERS or 5 DOUBLES? You can have lunch with the Big Ragu and Food Adventure Crew on a bench or get them to go . TO ENTER THE CONTEST COMMENT BELOW AT THE END OF THE PHOTOS *****

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About The Food Adventures Crew

We are 3 Dayton Foodies constantlay seeking Food Adventures: Jackie Scanlan, Jessie Whitesell and The Big Ragu Steve Milano. Together, your humble crew will seek out locally owned restaurants, unique places off the beaten path, & even give our slant on some familiar favorites. Whenever we visit a place, we call it a “Food Adventure.” You can expect pictures of each Food Adventure we embark on. You can expect us hugging waiters, posting nostalgic blogs, giving healthy wholesome tips, and having a blast. We have a passion for life and no rules when it comes to tackling eats. We are not food critics, that is boring. We just love to eat!

Every time we visit my family in the Dayton area, from Mobile Alabama, we have to stop by the Hamburger Wagon at least once. It’s a tradition. The burgers are fantastic and reasonable. I grew up visiting the Hamburger Wagon before moving South.

Hamburger wagon is the best hamburger, I craved them when I was pregnant with all my 3 kids and made my hubby stop all the time and get me some before he came home from work, even if I made dinner. Lol

Last time I visited the wagon you had to go across the street to get chips. Wagners I think it was. And bring your own drink. Win some or buy some, I gotta get out there soon. I’ve spend two decades trying to duplicate, unsuccessfully.

I had never tried them till last year for the first time in Sept and I had to go back the next weekend to get more they are the best I wish you had one closer to Dayton would eat every weekend very good on your family coming upwith this recipe the best little hamburger ever.

The “hamburger wagon” has been a family tradition for us since my great grandfather—This special hamburger is now enjoyed by my 3 grandchildren—(Six generations)!!!! We have told hundreds of people about them and have to say there’s no hamburger quite like a Miamisburg hamburger!! We ♥️ Them!!!! If you haven’t tried them YOU should!!!

In the early nineteen eighties I managed the limousine service out of sorrels garage when I think of good memories I think of the wagon only thing better than their burgers is the smell of them cooking

I grew up in Miamisburg and the presence of the burger wagon is something sacred to those of us who grew up there. Just thinking of them (the burgers) makes my mouth water and brings back fonder memories of my home-town and also reminds me (and many others) of a simpler time and place in America that is all but gone now… glad that the burger wagon is part of that little piece of the past that remains… here’s to another 100 plus years.